A BREAKTHROUGH brain scan which can help confirm a suspected diagnosis of Alzheimer’s will be tested on the NHS for the first time tomorrow.

The test, called Amyvid, is set to dramatically improve the accuracy of diagnosis for the world’s most common type of dementia.

Not only can it rule out the condition, it is also hoped that, along with other tests currently used, it will help fully confirm if a patient has Alzheimer’s.

The scanning technology, from pharmaceutical firm Lilly, estimates the density of toxic amyloid plaque in the patient and can give the best chances of starting treatment early, thereby hopefully slowing the relentless progress of the disease.

The first UK patient will undergo a scan at Charing Cross Hospital, which is managed by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.

Dr Richard Perry, consultant neurologist at the trust, said: “This test directly identifies amyloid plaques in the brain which are one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease, so a negative scan effectively excludes a diagnosis of the condition.

“A positive scan means there are abnormal levels of the amyloid protein present and in the right context will support a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s.

“For people who have memory problems and are concerned, knowing the cause – whether it is Alzheimer’s disease or not – is the first step in getting the right sort of treatment.

“This test is non-invasive, and the most sensitive and specific test we have for diagnosing the condition.”

“The tool may also be used to ensure that patients entering clinical trials for amyloid-targeting drugs are appropriately selected.

“Amyvid also provides an important approach, which may be used as a research tool in clinical trials to monitor the biological signs of Alzheimer’s in the living brain and increase our understanding of how the disease progresses.”

The announcement comes as David Cameron hosts the G8 Dementia Summit in London today.

The Prime Minister has called for Britain to take a worldwide lead in dementia research with a doubling of investment by government and the private sector.

Mr Cameron will say he wants UK government investment in dementia research to double from £66million in 2015 to £122million in 2025.

Speaking ahead of the summit, he said: “If we are to beat dementia, we must work globally, with nations, business and scientists from all over the world working together as we did with cancer, and with HIV and Aids.”